Today is #GivingTuesday. One website I looked at said that it is:
a movement to create a national day of giving to kick off the giving season added to the calendar on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The second annual GivingTuesday is on December 3, 2013. In the same way that retail stores take part in Black Friday, we want the giving community to come together for #GivingTuesday.
If you want to know more about #GivingTuesday check out this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBT2cONeiHw
Now some of you are probably expecting me to ask you to support David’s Refuge on this #GivingTuesday. But I am not. I am actually asking you to stop and remember and maybe even celebrate the Moms and Dads we serve at David’s Refuge. For you see everyday is a day of #giving for these parent.
Everyday they wake up they care for their children. They feed them, bathe them, wipe them, play with them, hold them, serve them, and carry them. They #give them medication, take them to doctor appointments, sit through hours of therapy, and constantly look out for their every need. For hours they sit by their sides in the hospital. They pray, they cry, and they feel alone. Today I am asking you to celebrate and encourage these incredible heroes as they #give and #give of themselves.
Here are a seven ideas of how you could celebrate or encourage the parent of a child with special needs.
#GivingMonday: Ask if there is any holiday shopping you could do for them.
#GivingTuesday: Offer to watch their children so they can take a nap, go for a walk, or get away for a weekend at David’s Refuge! 🙂
#GivingWednesday: Become a buddy for a child with special needs (phone calls, playing together, 1:1 times)
#GivingThusday: Don’t forget about the siblings of the special needs child. They’ll need some extra TLC, too.
#GivingFriday: Take time to ask and then listen to their story. You will be amazed!
#GivingSaturday: Help your friends keep their sense of humor. A good laugh with a friend can turn around a stressful day.
#GivingSunday: Make a commitment to pray for them. Pray for their marriage, their family, and their endurance.
Today you can bring hope to these #giving heroes. Give it a try! I dare you.